New Delhi, November 14
The Congress today said the government was trying to mislead people on the WTO pact with the US.

Responding to the statement by Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, her predecessor Anand Sharma said the BJP-led government was trying to create an impression that its tough stance on right to food security had paved the way for the agreement.

“The fact is that it was UPA government’s strong and uncompromising stance at the 2013 Bali ministerial meeting that forced the issue of procurement of foodgrains for public stock holding and livelihood countries back on the WTO agenda despite stiff opposition from the US, European Union and other developed countries,” said Sharma in a statement.

“The BJP government is trying to play a game of one-upmanship and concealing the truth,” said Sharma. “The Prime Minister and his government are better advised not to make claims that will invite more ridicule'', he said.

On Thursday, India and the United States announced they have resolved differences on public stock holding for food security through a peace clause which will open the way for implementation of Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Sharma said the Commerce Minister's statement that the agreement reached at Bali meeting was temporary was “factually incorrect.”

“At the Bali meeting, we fought tenaciously and were able to build a broader coalition of support from developing countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, forcing the US and EU to cede ground,” said Sharma.

“India also secured for itself and other developed countries protection from any challenge at WTO for any breach until a negotiated permanent solution was put in place,” Sharma.